Reducing the methamphetamine problem in Australia: Evaluating innovative partnerships between police, pharmacies and other third parties

Monograph no. 39

Illicit methamphetamine use is a continuing, significant problem, with prevalence rates In Australia among the highest in the world. Australian policy responses have been focused on supply reduction strategies, and especially law enforcement. While traditional policing of drug problems relies mostly on reactive measures, innovative approaches involving third parties are increasingly popular. Third party policing partnerships engage non-police to help develop and coordinate crime prevention strategies. In Australia, Project STOP has been developed by police, pharmacists and other partners to reduce the diversion of legal pseudoephedrine products into illicit methamphetamine production. The aim of this study was to evaluate this partnership in two different States, which have adopted different approaches to its implementation. The importance of both a supportive regulatory framework and organisational support for innovative approaches to drug control are discussed, and a best practice framework is suggested.